2018 Canadian Tourism Awards Winners

Thirteen organizations and individuals were honoured tonight by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as recipients of the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star.

The awards were presented earlier this evening in a ceremony at the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec.
“The Canadian Tourism Awards highlights the creativity, diversity and originality found in tourism, tonight we applaud the organizations and individuals whose hard work will inspire new generations to seek a career in tourism and join the businesses large and small that power local economies across Canada,” said TIAC President and CEO, Charlotte Bell.
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards and to all of this year’s nominees. These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of the people in the Canadian tourism industry, which supports more than 1.8 million jobs. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, visitors keep coming back and keep spreading the word about our beautiful, welcoming country,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, as she addressed the crowd gathered for the ceremony.

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to showcase Canada’s very best and offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

The 2018 Winners are:

Pursuit Adventure/Outdoors Award
Traversée du lac Saint-Jean à vélo – Alma, QC

WestJet Airport Innovation & Excellence Award
Gaëtan Gagné – Québec, QC

Air Canada Business of the Year Award
Accent Inns – Vancouver, BC

VIA Rail Community Outreach Award
Sébastien Roy | Distillerie Fils du Roy – Petit-Paquetville, NB

Restaurants Canada & Diversey Culinary Tourism Experience Award
The Paisley Notebook – Kelowna, BC

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award
Winter Festival of Lights – Niagara Falls, ON

ITAC Indigenous Cultural Tourism Award
Quaaout Lodge & Talking Rock Golf Course – Chase, BC

Marriott Hotels of Canada Innovator of the Year Award
Cities in Sync – Tourism Victoria, BC + Tourism Saskatoon, SK + Destination St. John’s, NL

Accor Hotels Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
“Pacific. Authentic.” | Tourism Richmond – Richmond, BC

Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award
The Historic Reesor Ranch – Maple Creek, SK

Air Transat Sustainable Tourism Award
Shorefast Foundation – Joe Batt’s Arm, NL

Tourism HR Canada Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Ian Cheverie | The Great George – Charlottetown, PE

Tourism Toronto Lifetime Achievement Award
Nancy Stibbard | Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – Vancouver, BC